Support systems for the seated human body

ABSTRACT

A support system for the seated human body comprising a length or lengths of net material constrained under tension in a supporting frame to form a seat portion and a back support portion. The net material forming the back support is attached to the supporting frame to provide a transversely extending forwardly projecting support portion for the upper pelvic/lumbar area and sweeps downwardly and rearwardly from this support portion to a position out of contact with the human body and upwardly and rearwardly from the support portion to form the remainder of the back support. The side edges of the net material are not attached to the supporting frame over the downwardly and upwardly sweeping portions and tension is applied longitudinally to the net material over the back support through members of the supporting frame.

United States Patent Bloomfield SUPPORT SYSTEMS FOR THE SEATED HUMAN BODY lnventor: Jack Bloomfield, London, England Assignee: British Railways Board, London,

England Filed: April 13, 1971 Appl. No.: 133,603

Related US. Application Data Field of Search ..297/445, 441, 284, 283, 27, 297/39, 28, 457

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Bowring et al..... ....297/396 X Borgfeldt ..297/441 14 1 Jan. 16,1973

Primary Examiner-James T. McCall Att0rneySommers & Young [57] ABSTRACT A support system for the seated human body comprising a length or lengths of net material constrained under tension in a supporting frame to form a seat portion and a back support portion. The net material forming the back support is attached to the supporting frame to provide a transversely extending forwardly projecting support portion for the upper pelvic/lumbar area and sweeps downwardly and rearwardly from this support portion to a position out of contact with the human body and upwardly and rearwardly from the support portion to form the remainder of the back support. The side edges of the net material are not attached to the supporting frame over the downwardly and upwardly sweeping portions and tension is applied longitudinally to the net material over the back support through members of the supporting frame.

. 12 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEUJAH 16 1975 Y 3,711,156

SHEET 1 OF 4 PATENTEI] JAN 16 I975 SHEET 2 [1F 4 PATENTEDJAHIBISYS 3.711.156

SHEET 3 [IF 4 FIGS 25 FIGB 27 I] SUPPORT SYSTEMS FOR THE SEATED HUMAN BODY This invention relates to support systems for the seated human body and in particular to modifications of the support system described in US. application Ser. No. 878,849, filed Nov. 21, 1969, now abandoned and refiled as continuation application Ser. No. 196,484, filed Nov. 8, 1971. The present application is a continuation-in-part of the aforesaid copending application Ser. No. 196,484.

The basic form of support described in the aforesaid application comprises a non-elastic flexible web material constrained under tension by a supporting frame to define a three-dimensional support form including in an upwardly extending length of said material constituting a back support for the seated human body a transversely extending forwardly projecting support portion for the upper pelvic/lumbar area of the human body, the material sweeping downwardly and rearwardly from said support portion to a lower end which will not contact the seated human body and sweeping upwardly and rearwardly from said support portion to form the remainder of the back support.

In accordance with this invention, there is provided a support system of the above described kind and wherein the side edges of the upwardly extending length of material are each attached to said supporting frame to cause the material to'define said transversely extending forwardly projecting support portion, and are unconstrainedby the supporting frame over the upwardly and rearwardly and downwardly and rearwardly sweeping portions, and tension in the upwardly extending length of material is applied longitudinally of said length of material by attachment of the upper end of said length of material to said supporting frame and by a lower transverse frame member of the supporting frame engaging said length of material in the region of its lower end and at a position at which it will not contact the seated human body.

When a single length of material is used to form the back support and the seat portion, said lower frame member may be used to tension both the upwardly extending length and the seat-portion. When a separate length is used for the seat portion this will have its own rear tensioningfframe member.

In order that the invention may be readily un- I derstood, various seat constructions in accordancewith the invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows in side view the basic form of the sup port system using a single length of netting,

FIG. 2 is a similar view showing the basic form of support system where separate lengths of netting are used for the seat portion and the upwardly extending back support portion,

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a seat construction embodying the basic form of support system of FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic side view showing a second seat construction embodying the basic form of support system of FIG. 1,

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic side view showing a seat construction embodying the basic form of support system of FIG. 2, g 1

FIG. 6 illustrates a modification of the FIG. 5 construction, and

FIG. 7 is a view showing a reclining seat construction embodying the basic form of support system of FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. l, the single length of netting l, which is constrained by a supporting frame to define seat portion 2 and upwardly extending back support portion 3, is provided with pockets 4 and 5 which locate over side frames of the support system. If necessary for tensioning purposes the netting can be anchored to cross-members 6 and 7 at front and upper end edges. To form the forwardly projecting support portion 6 for the upper pelvic/lumbar area, the length of netting l is attached along each of its side edges over the region 8 to side frame portions. In order to impart the desired tension to the net, a lower frame member in the form of a tensioning bar 9 engages within the acute angled apex formed in the netting at the junction between the seat portion 2 and the upwardly extending portion 3.

Referring to FIG. 2, where the same reference numerals'have been used as in FIG. 1 to indicate corresponding parts, an arrangement is shown similar to that of FIG. 1 except that the separate lengths of nettingdefining the seat portion 2 and upwardly extending back support portion 3 are tensioned by respective tensioning bars 10 and 1 1.

In- FIG. 3 is shown one seat construction embodying the basic form of support system of FIG. 1.

A tubular metal framework forms floor-standing side frames 13 and 14 'which are shaped to receive the pockets 4 and 5 to form head rest 35 and a rounded front edge 36 to the seat portion-2. The cross-member 6 is acurved bar which assists in shaping the upwardly extending portion 3 of the netting. Bracing is provided by cross-members 15, 16 and 17.

The frame supports to which the side edges of the netting l are attached over the region 8, and the transverse tensioning bar 9 form integral parts of a frame member 18. The frame member 18 is pivotable on axis 19 to the sideframes Band 14, to enable the tensioning bar to be forced against the net 1 to tension it. When the desired tension has been achieved the frame member 18 is locked to the side frames 13 and 14. This locking has not been shown in FIG. 1 but could be effected in several ways. For example the tensioning bar 9 could be arranged to spring behind the side frames 13 and 14. Alternatively, a locking arrangement such as a screw-threaded arrangement could be provided which permits the adjustment of the tensioning bar 9 to take up any stretching of the netting caused by wear.

As an alternative to the integrally formed support and tensioning member 18, the net support in the regions 8 could, as shown in FIG. 4, be provided by forwardly projecting U shaped frame members 19 fixed j on the side frames 13 and 14 and the tensioning bar 9 could then form part of a separate frame 20 pivoted on axis 21 to the side frames 13 and 14. In FIG. 4 the side frames are shown mounted on a base 23 with legs 24 so that seats may be used singly or assembled in rows on a common base 23.

To achieve the basic form of support system shown in FIG. 2, the arrangement of FIG. 5 can be used. This is similar to the arrangement of FIG. 4 in having frame members 19 and pivoted frame 20. In the arrangement of FIG. 5, however, the frame20 provides the tensioningbar 10 for the length of netting forming seat portion 2. The tensioning bar ll forms part of frame 25 pivoted at 26 to side frames 13 and 14.

Conveniently, hems can be formed in the ends of the lengths of netting 2 and 3 for receiving the tensioning bars and 11. Net stretch in both the lengths 2 and 3 can be taken up by removing the tensioning bars 10 and l 1 and placing them in other preformed hems which effectively shorten the lengths 2 and 3 in their untensioned state. Alternatively, the lengths of netting 2 and 3 could be welded to the tensioning bars 10 and 11 and net stretch taken up by winding the netting around the bars 10 and 11.

As an alternative to attaching the netting 3 to the tensioning bar 11, the arrangement of FIG. 6 can be used, where the length of netting is attached to crossbar 27 and the tensioning bar 11 of frame 25 presses against the netting to impart the tension into it.

In a still further alternative arrangement the tensioning bars 9, 10 and 1 1 can be mounted in the side frames 13 and 14 for rotation about their longitudinal axes and the netting simplywound around these tensioning bars to impart the described tension to the netting.

Referring now to FIG. 7, this shows the basic form of support system of FIG. 2 embodied in a reclining seat construction. The same reference numerals as in the previous Figures have been used to indicate corresponding parts. The seat comprises two side arms 28, which support in fixed manner side frames 29 for supporting and locating the length of netting forming the seat 2. Pivotally mounted in side arms 28 are side frames 30 which support and locate the netting forming upwardly extending support portion 2.

The side frames 30 are pivotable about axis 31 which passes through the hip joint of the average person seated in the seat so that the seat is adjustable between the upright position shown in full line and the recline position shown in chain-dotted line. By pivoting at the hip joint the supporting characteristics of the seat are not substantially altered.

It will be appreciated that in all the above described embodiments the netting is readily replaceable by a new netting.

I claim:

1. A support system for the seated human body comprising: a supporting frame; a non-elastic flexible 'web material constrained under tension in the supporting frame to define a three-dimensional support form including, in an upwardly extending lengthof said material constituting a back support for the seated human body, a transversely extending forwardly projecting support portion for the upper pelvic/lumbar area of the seated human body; the material which forms said back unconstrained by the supporting frame over both the upward] and rearwardly and also the downwardly and rearwar ly sweeping portions; and means for tensioning said upwardly extending length of material longitudinally of its length of material by attachment of the upper end of said length of material to said supporting frame and by a lower transverse frame member of the supporting frame engaging said. length of material in the region of its lower end and at a position at which it will not contact the seated human body.

2. A support system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a single length of said material forms said upwardly extending length and a generally horizontally extending seat portion, so that said lower frame member applies tension longitudinally to the material of the seat portion.

3. A support system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a separate length of said material forms a generally horizontallyextending seat portion which is tensioned longitudinally by a rear frame member.

4. A support system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper end of said upwardly extending length ofmaterial is tailored to form a pocket fitting over the supporting frame which is so shaped as to form the said upper end of the material into a forwardly projecting head rest.

5. A support system as claimed in claim -2 wherein the front end of said length of material forming the seat portion is tailored to form a pocket which fits over the front of said supporting frame.

6. A support system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lower frame member is adjustable in order to apply the required longitudinal tension to the upwardly extending length of material.

7. A support system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the lower frame member is pivotable about an axis extending transversely of the supporting frame.-

' 11. A support system as I 8. A support system as claimed in claim 7, wherein said lower-frame member is formed integrally with side frame portions, to which the side edges of the upwardly extending length of material are attached to define said transversely extending forwardly projecting support portion, so that it is pivotable with said side frame portions.

9. A support system as claimedin claim 6, wherein said lower frame member comprises a bar rotatable about its longitudinal axis to wind the material on to it,

10. A support system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said rear frame member is adjustable in order to apply the required longitudinal tension in the material of said seatportion. v

claimed in claim 10, wherein the rear frame member comprises a bar rotatable about its longitudinal axis to wind the material'of the seat portion on to it.

12. A support system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the supporting frame comprises a first part supporting the material of the seat portion and a second part pivotable about the first part, substantially on the axis A of the hip joints of the seated human body, whereby the upwardly extending length of material can be adjusted to a recline" position. 

1. A support system for the seated human body comprising: a supporting frame; a non-elastic flexible web material constrained under tension in the supporting frame to define a threedimensional support form including, in an upwardly extending length of said material constituting a back support for the seated human body, a transversely extending forwardly projecting support portion for the upper pelvic/lumbar area of the seated human body; the material which forms said back support sweeping downwardly and rearwardly from said forwardly projecting support portion to a lower end which will not contact the seated human body and also sweeping upwardly and rearwardly from said support portion to form the remainder of the back support; the side edges of the upwardly extending length of material each being attached to said supporting frame in the region of said forwardly projecting support portion to cause the material to define said transversely extending forwardly projecting support portion; the side edges of the material forming said back support being unconstrained by the supporting frame over both the upwardly and rearwardly and also the downwardly and rearwardly sweeping portions; and means for tensioning said upwardly extending length of material longitudinally of its length of material by attachment of the upper end of said length of material to said supporting frame and by a lower transverse frame member of the supporting frame engaging said length of material in the region of its lower end and at a position at which it will not contact the seated human body.
 2. A support system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a single length of said material forms said upwardly extending length and a generally horizontally exTending seat portion, so that said lower frame member applies tension longitudinally to the material of the seat portion.
 3. A support system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a separate length of said material forms a generally horizontally extending seat portion which is tensioned longitudinally by a rear frame member.
 4. A support system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper end of said upwardly extending length of material is tailored to form a pocket fitting over the supporting frame which is so shaped as to form the said upper end of the material into a forwardly projecting head rest.
 5. A support system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the front end of said length of material forming the seat portion is tailored to form a pocket which fits over the front of said supporting frame.
 6. A support system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lower frame member is adjustable in order to apply the required longitudinal tension to the upwardly extending length of material.
 7. A support system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the lower frame member is pivotable about an axis extending transversely of the supporting frame.
 8. A support system as claimed in claim 7, wherein said lower frame member is formed integrally with side frame portions, to which the side edges of the upwardly extending length of material are attached to define said transversely extending forwardly projecting support portion, so that it is pivotable with said side frame portions.
 9. A support system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said lower frame member comprises a bar rotatable about its longitudinal axis to wind the material on to it,
 10. A support system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said rear frame member is adjustable in order to apply the required longitudinal tension in the material of said seat portion.
 11. A support system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the rear frame member comprises a bar rotatable about its longitudinal axis to wind the material of the seat portion on to it.
 12. A support system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the supporting frame comprises a first part supporting the material of the seat portion and a second part pivotable about the first part, substantially on the axis of the hip joints of the seated human body, whereby the upwardly extending length of material can be adjusted to a ''''recline'''' position. 